Designed solely for students who’ve completed the MITx MicroMasters in Statistics and Data Science, this degree pathway offers a core curriculum in finance. Your courses complement the in-depth training in data science, giving you the tools and perspective needed to be an industry leader.
What You’ll Learn
Through the graduate program in finance you:
- Study the core elements of financial management theory including; accounting, finance, economics, business valuation, and financial statement analysis.
- Gain insight into the latest financial management practices through lecture, case studies, group projects, and active learning experiences.
- Apply data science and financial tools to real-world problems.
Required Courses
In this pathway, Harvard Extension School will credit four courses (16 credits) toward the finance program for earning the MITx MicroMasters Program in Statistics and Data Science, leaving you with 8 courses (32 credits) left to complete.
8 Graduate Courses (32 credits)
The degree field is offered online with 1 course required on-campus here at Harvard University. Weekend options are available for the on-campus requirement.
With online courses offered in both synchronous and asynchronous formats, you can participate in some courses on demand and others live that offer real-time engagement with faculty and peers.
- 1 economics course (microeconomics or managerial economics)
- 1 finance course (principles or managerial finance)
- 1 accounting course (financial or managerial accounting)
- 1 financial statement analysis course
- 1 investment theory course
- 1 corporate finance course
- 1 business valuation course
- 1 applied active learning elective (on campus)
Search for Courses
- You can study in fall, January, and spring terms through Harvard Extension School (HES) and during the summer through Harvard Summer School (HSS).
- You can enroll full or part-time with most degree candidates, after qualifying for admission, choosing 2 courses per semester (fall/spring) and 1 in the January term as well as summer.
- Most fall and spring courses meet online once a week for 2 hours, while January and summer courses meet more frequently in a condensed format.
To find degree courses in the DCE Course Search and Registration platform:
- Under Search Classes, scroll to Harvard Extension Degree, Certificate, and Premedical Course Search.
- Select Graduate Degrees.
- Choose Finance to explore program courses.
On-Campus Requirements
Nearly all courses can be taken online, but the degree requires a Harvard University on-campus experience. You have two choices for your one applied active learning elective:
- Accelerated on-campus option: Choose 2, two-credit Active Learning Weekends
- Standard on-campus option: Choose 1, 3-week Harvard Summer School course
The Standard option is ideal for those who want a more traditional on-campus experience. HSS offers housing, meal plans, and a prolonged on-campus experience here at Harvard University.
International Students Who Need a Student Visa
You choose the Standard on-campus option and study with us in the summer. You can easily request an I-20 for the F-1 student visa for a Harvard Summer School 3-week session. For more information, see International Student Study Options page.
Admissions and Getting Started
After you’ve earned the MicroMasters Program credential in Statistics and Data Science, you begin the admission process by simply registering—no application needed—for the following graduate-level course:
- 1 economics course (microeconomics or managerial economics)
Prerequisites: Before registering for the economics course, you’ll need to pass our online test of critical reading and writing skills. Alternatively, you can complete EXPO 34 Business Rhetoric at the undergraduate or graduate level with a grade of B or higher to meet the registration requirement, but EXPO 34 does not count toward the degree.
Grade requirements: You must complete the economics course with a grade of B or higher, without letting your overall Harvard cumulative GPA dip below 3.0.
Eligibility: Prior to beginning this pathway, which starts with your first MITx course, you need to possess a four-year, regionally accredited US bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent. You cannot already have or be in the process of earning a master’s degree in finance or related field.
Submitting Your Application
During the semester that you are completing the economics course, submit the official application to the program.
Don’t delay! It is critical to prioritize the degree course for admission and apply before completing subsequent courses. By doing so, you’ll:
- avoid the loss of credit due to expired course work or changes to admission and degree requirements.
- ensure your enrollment in critical and timely degree-candidate-only courses.
- pay the standard versus delayed application fee.
- gain access to exclusive benefits (see bottom of page).
Eligible students who submit a complete and timely application will have 7 more courses after admission to earn the degree.
For more details about eligibility, the application process, and application fees, visit Admissions.
MicroMasters Program Admission Pathway Policy
The MITx MicroMasters Program credential in Statistics and Data Science must be earned prior to enrolling in any degree-applicable courses at Harvard. Further, the credential cannot be more than three years old at the time of application. Credit is only granted for the entire MicroMasters Program; Harvard credit will not be awarded for individual courses.
For more details about Harvard Extension School degree program eligibility and the application process, visit Admissions. If you have questions about the MicroMasters Program, contact MITx directly.
Cost and Financial Aid
Affordability is core to our mission. You’ll find our tuition comparable to tuition at public universities. And when compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.
| Our Tuition (2023-24 rate) | $3,220 per course |
| Average Tuition of Peer Institutions | $5,476 per course |
After admission, you may qualify for financial aid. Typically, eligible students receive grant funds to cover a portion of tuition costs each term, in addition to federal financial aid options.
To Complete Your Degree
Required GPA, Withdrawal Grades, and Repeat Courses
GPA. You need to earn a B or higher in economics and finance requirements and a B– or higher in all other courses. In addition, your cumulative GPA cannot dip below 3.0.
Withdrawal Grades. You are allowed to receive 1 withdrawal (WD) grade without it affecting your GPA. Any additional WD grades count as zero in your cumulative GPA. See Academic Standing.
Repeat Courses. We advise you to review the ALM program’s strict policies about repeating courses. Generally speaking, you may not repeat a course to improve your GPA or to fulfill a degree requirement (if the minimum grade was not initially achieved). Nor can you repeat a course for graduate credit that you’ve previously completed at Harvard Extension School or Harvard Summer School at the undergraduate level.
Finish Your Coursework in Five Years
You have five years to complete your degree requirements. The five-year timeline begins at the end of the term in which you complete any one degree-applicable course at Harvard, whether or not you have been admitted to the program.
Harvard courses over five years old at the point of admission will not count toward the degree.
Potential degree candidates must plan accordingly and submit their applications to comply with the five-year course expiration policy or they risk losing degree credit for completed course work. Additionally, admission eligibility will be jeopardized if, at the point of application to the program, the five-year degree completion policy cannot be satisfied.
Graduate with Your Harvard Degree
When you have fulfilled all degree requirements, you will earn your Harvard University degree: Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, Field: Finance. Degrees are awarded in November, March, and May, with the annual Harvard Commencement ceremony in May.
Degree Candidate Exclusive Benefits
When you become an officially admitted degree candidate you have access to a rich variety of exclusive benefits to support your academic journey. To learn more, visit degree candidate academic opportunities and privileges.
